Chapter 760 - 537: I’m Not a Mill-Grinding Donkey

Chapter 760: Chapter 537: I’m Not a Mill-Grinding Donkey

Unable to deny his son’s persistence, Feng Yi took him for a boat ride on the Dragon Pool. Yun Zhao had already returned to prepare, so dinner was ready just as the father and son arrived.

Feng Yun was clearly delighted, calling out "Imperial Father" again and again. The smile never left Feng Yi’s face.

Song Yunzhao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. The thing was, Feng Yun was a quiet child. Even after learning to talk, he was nothing like his older brother had been—a little chatterbox.

’He must have been truly happy today.’ After the meal, Feng Yi took his son for another walk around the lake before finally sending him back. The nannies and attendants busily helped the young master wash up and change for bed.

Feng Yi then returned upstairs. Yun Zhao, who had just finished her bath, saw him and smiled. "You’ve had a long day. You should wash up and get some rest. The hot water is ready for you."

Feng Yi nodded and headed in. After a few steps, he glanced back. In the lamplight, Yun Zhao was sitting down at her dressing table. Her figure was graceful and her movements light. From the back, she truly didn’t look like a woman who had borne two children.

Just as he was thinking this, Yun Zhao turned her head, a faint smile touching her eyes, and pointed to the mirror.

She had seen him watching her in the mirror.

Feng Yi smiled as well, then turned and entered the bathing chamber.

Once Feng Yi had gone inside, Yun Zhao glanced down at her nightgown. It was a new, form-fitting version she’d had made, cinched at the sides to accentuate her waistline and make it appear even more slender and graceful.

She had always been very focused on postpartum recovery. Though she had no real-world experience with it, she had read many articles online and knew the basics.

What’s more, the palace’s wellness nannies were skilled in a set of massage techniques that helped restore her figure. Combined with her careful diet, she was naturally in excellent shape.

’I have nothing to worry about. If I can’t even take care of myself under these conditions, it would be a true lack of self-discipline.’

’I’m someone who lives by her looks; how could I neglect my greatest asset?’

The phrase "living by her looks" first made Yun Zhao smile, but then she sighed.

’If this were the modern world, I’d inevitably be criticized for having no ambition or aspirations. The more hot-tempered ones would probably even call me shameless.’

’But here, in ancient times, living by your looks is a genuine survival skill.’

The more she thought about it, the funnier it seemed, and Yun Zhao couldn’t help but let out a laugh.

"What are you laughing at?"

At the sound of Feng Yi’s voice, Yun Zhao turned. He had just walked out, wrapped in a sleeping robe with the collar hanging open, revealing half of his chest.

Song Yunzhao gave him a look, then rose and walked over. She poked him in the chest and said with a perfectly straight face, "I was just wondering what I could have possibly done to deserve a man like Your Majesty—so powerful, so skilled in both literature and martial arts, so handsome, and so devoted. I must have accumulated blessings for several lifetimes."

For the past two years, Feng Yi had arranged for Feng Ze to train with a martial arts master. Whenever he had the time, Feng Yi would practice alongside his son. Though he wasn’t as consistent as Feng Ze, he had developed a lean layer of muscle.

’Come to think of it,’ Song Yunzhao suddenly realized, ’Feng Yi is even more attractive now than when I first entered the palace. I mean, that face, that waist, those pecs...’

Feng Yi blushed at Yun Zhao’s praise. When he saw her gaze travel down from his chest, his face grew even hotter. He scooped her into his arms and strode behind the bed curtains.

As Feng Yi took off his outer robe, Yun Zhao reached out and ran a hand over his waist.

Feng Yi: ...

Yun Zhao burst out laughing. ’Why is he blushing? We’re practically an old married couple.’

Before she could finish laughing, he pushed her down onto the bed. They were pressed tightly together as Feng Yi whispered, his lips brushing against her ear, "What’s so funny?"

The sensation tickled her ear, and Yun Zhao couldn’t help but flinch. Her hands, however, seemed to have a will of their own, wrapping around Feng Yi’s waist and tracing a path downward.

Feng Yi caught her hand.

Yun Zhao’s laughter only grew. Feng Yi bent his head and silenced her with a kiss.

Yun Zhao paid a heavy price for her laughter. ’Good heavens,’ she thought, ’I genuinely think Feng Yi has a great body now. Why did he think I was just teasing him?’

When Yun Zhao opened her eyes, she was so surprised to see Feng Yi still beside her that she felt a little dazed.

She sat up halfway and leaned against his chest. The movement woke Feng Yi, who opened his eyes to see her smiling at him.

When she smiled, Feng Yi smiled back. "What are you up to so early in the morning?"

Song Yunzhao’s heart skipped a beat. ’To hear him talk, anyone would think I was about to pounce on him.’

"Not busy today?" Song Yunzhao asked.

"Even an emperor needs to rest. I’m not some donkey endlessly turning a grindstone."

Song Yunzhao couldn’t help but laugh. She’d teased him with that line once, and he’d remembered it. Now he was throwing her own words back at her.

"So what are you going to do today?"

"It’s a rare day off for me, and you still want me to think? I’ll go wherever you want."

That was what Yun Zhao loved to hear. "Let’s go horseback riding."

"Horseback riding? Today?" he said, his eyes flicking to her waist.

Yun Zhao: ...

"You’ll be carrying me on your horse. It’s not like I have to ride on my own."

’What are you looking at!’

Seeing that he’d flustered her, Feng Yi quickly pulled her into his arms to soothe her. "Alright, alright. We’ll go riding."

As he spoke, he gave her waist a little squeeze.

Annoyed, Song Yunzhao gave him a light kick. "What hour is it? Get out of bed. Hurry."

Feng Yi had no choice but to get up, grabbing his robe and draping it over his shoulders.

Song Yunzhao noticed a few red scratches on his back and immediately looked away. ’If I don’t see them, I didn’t make them.’

The two of them got up and began to wash and dress. Meng Jiuchang led attendants in to serve them, while Xiangxue and Shizhu entered with their heads bowed. Outside, Nanny Yu was directing others to set out the meal.

Yun Zhao was used to it by now; she had become shameless enough to ignore everyone’s knowing looks.

"Where is the Second Prince?" Yun Zhao asked Xiangxue, sitting at her dressing table.

The Jade Comb in Xiangxue’s hands moved deftly as she styled her mistress’s hair. "The Second Prince was insisting on going to the lakeside," she replied. "Anshun has taken some attendants to accompany him on a walk there. They have not boarded a boat, so My Lady need not worry."

Yun Zhao nodded. "Has everyone else been settled in?"

’I was so busy fooling around with Feng Yi last night that I completely forgot to ask about these palace affairs.’

But with the three concubines managing things, there shouldn’t have been any problems.

"The Empress Dowager has settled into Yixin Palace, while An Pin and Lady Zhao are in Baihua Pavilion, located behind it. Han Wan Yi, Lu Fenyi, and Feng Guifei have moved into Yinghui Hall. Lady Shufei, Lady Wanfei, and Consort Zhuang are staying in the area directly opposite Yinghui Hall, and each has picked her own courtyard.

"The other concubines are scattered throughout the palaces behind where the three concubines are staying. Everyone chose a place they liked, with some choosing to live with others. They all seem quite happy. Nothing at all happened last night, so you need not worry, My Lady."

Song Yunzhao said, "Bring me the map of Yong’an Palace."

Xiangxue inserted the last golden hairpin and quickly brought the map over.

Song Yunzhao took the map and walked out, looking at it as she went. When she reached the outer room, she saw Feng Yi already seated and waiting for her.

"What are you looking at?" Feng Yi pulled her over to sit beside him and asked.

Yun Zhao held up the map. "I’m just looking to see where everyone is staying, so I have a sense of the layout."

As she spoke, she searched for the location of Baihua Pavilion on the map. What she saw made her freeze for a moment.